Canale Water Catchment with Dynamic Overflow

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for collecting rainwater from canale systems on nearly flat roofs are inefficient, as they often result in water being lost due to windblown spray during light rainfall and overflow during heavy rainfall, and require modifications to the canale or roof structure, which can lead to damage and insect infestations.

Innovation Solution

A downspout connector apparatus that captures water from canales without modifying the existing structure, using a catchment portion with an angled design to direct water into a collection system while allowing excess water to overflow, and can be attached using straps or fasteners without penetrating the roofing material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If water collection systems are installed to capture rainwater from canales, then water loss is reduced, but the system becomes vulnerable to overflow during heavy rainfall

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater lossVSAvoidoverflow control

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The catchment portion incorporates a dynamic overflow mechanism that automatically adjusts water flow based on rainfall intensity. During heavy rainfall, excess water naturally overflows through the designated overflow opening, while during light rainfall, the system efficiently captures and directs water to the collection system, preventing both water loss and overflow damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus changes the flow parameters of water by creating a controlled overflow path. The overflow opening is positioned and sized to allow excess water to escape at specific flow rates, transforming the system from a closed collection mechanism to an adaptive flow regulation system that responds to varying rainfall conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If existing canales are modified to improve water collection, then collection efficiency increases, but structural damage and insect infestations occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater collection efficiencyVSAvoidstructural damage and insect infestations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The water collection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the catchment portion that interfaces with the canale, the attachment portion that secures the device, and the overflow mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to capture water effectively while maintaining the integrity of the original canale structure and preventing insect infestation through proper water flow management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The catchment portion acts as an intermediary device between the canale and the collection system. It captures water from the canale without requiring modification to the canale itself, and directs water to the collection system while providing an overflow path, thus mediating the water flow process and eliminating the need for harmful structural modifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If windblown spray is allowed during light rainfall, then natural water dispersal occurs, but water loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenatural water dispersalVSAvoidwater loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts the potentially harmful effect of windblown spray into a beneficial feature by using the natural wind-driven water flow to direct water into the catchment portion during light rainfall. The angled design of the catchment portion works with wind direction to capture water that would otherwise be lost, transforming water loss into water collection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Effectively collects and directs rainwater from canales to storage or dispersal systems, preventing water loss and damage, while maintaining the integrity of the roof and canale structure, and ensuring overflow in case of heavy rainfall or system blockages.

Implementation Method 1

water from the canale enters the catchment portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

excess water can overflow the catchment portion and fall to the ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10161134B2Water directing apparatus

Publication Date: 2018.12.25 CANALE CATCHER LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides apparatuses that allow water from canales to be captured and communicated with water collection systems for storage or dispersal. Embodiments of the present invention accommodate existing canales with minimal or no modification to the canale or building or roof structure. Example embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus with a catchment portion defining a volume that accepts water from a canale and communicates water to a collection system (where a collection system can communicate with a storage system or a dispersal system). The catchment portion is mounted to the canale using an attachment portion of the apparatus such that water from the canale enters the catchment portion, but such that excess water can overflow the catchment portion and fall to the ground.